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Bullseye - Bridging The Arrowverse. After I finished Season 2 of Arrow , I was worried about how fast things would go downhill, since I considered Arrow 's sophomore outing to be the peak of the series. Fortunately, I was proved wrong by Arrow: Season 2.5 , which featured a great array of villains old and new, whilst explaining Sara's journey back to Nanda Parbat, the Suicide Squad's epic new mission in Khandaq and of course Oliver's campaign against the resurgent Church of Blood. This campaign took up the majority of the series, after Clinton Hogue adopted the mantel of his former employer. I thought that the 'Blood' arc was really well written and featured some great moments for the Arrow, Arsenal and the Huntress. It also featured Roy's transformation into Arsenal, including how he obtained his costume, which was very exciting for me as an Arrowverse fan as these events are never shown onscreen. The story was well paced too and although the extension...

I Am The Arrow. Oliver shakes off his past and embraces his identity as a hero in the closing chapters of Arrow Season 2.5 ; 'Reckoning' sees Oliver question his quest as Caleb Green delivers a morbid message on his deathbed, whilst 'Prologue' brings the series right up to the beginning of Season 3 as Oliver strives to prove himself... to himself. 'Reckoning' kicks things off in this final issue, with Green's dramatic death and one more evil speech. I like how much it really struck a chord with Oliver as we see him struggling to focus after the incident. Felicity's speech was really cool and actually not that cheesy for once as well, which was a pleasant change. It probably helped that it was accompanied by a sweet montage of Team Arrow destroying gangbangers across Starling City. The other focus here was Sara, who after a brief steamy encounter with Nyssa journeys to Starling to take out Malcolm Merlyn, only for the latter to knock her out at the s...

Oliver Queen Is Dead. Caleb Green and Oliver Queen finally have their dramatic showdown in this issue, which consisted of two stories as per usual; 'Home' featured both Ollie and Malcolm experiencing unwanted guests in their houses, whilst 'Recompense' showed the epic battle between Green and Queen as a burning mansion collapses around them. 'Home' is more of a set-up episode for this confrontation. Laurel is kidnapped and makes a great joke about how often she gets broken into, which has been a common trope and inadvertent running gag throughout the first two seasons. This then leads to a war of the words between Ollie and Green, which is fairly standard villain victory talk which leaves Green feeling undeveloped and two dimensional. The best part of this chapter was seeing Malcolm come under threat from the League, which again sets up the conflicts that will play out in Arrow  season 3. The follow up chapter, 'Recompense', depicts the set-piece s...

Finally, A Fair Fight. Deathstroke makes his triumphant return in #10 of Arrow: Season 2.5, in the first of two stories called 'Promises', whilst in 'The Gift' we see Quentin return to work and Green targets Laurel to get to Oliver. 'Promises' is without a doubt the better of the two chapters, as Oliver and Roy travel to Lian Yu to visit Slade Wilson! I loved the whole interaction between Oliver and Roy, as I could practically hear Manu Bennett calling Oliver 'kid' and undermining him repeatedly. The fight was cool as well, and proved that Slade is still a major threat even without mirakuru flowing through his veins. One of the coolest parts of this story also was the mention of Oliver's time in both Hong Kong and Russia, elements which I didn't realise were mentioned prior to season 3. The second chapter, 'The Gift', is a more straightforward and dull affair. I loved seeing Quentin return to work and get a promotion (he bloody dese...

He Took Everything. Caleb Green returns on a murderous rampage in Arrow: Seasons 2.5 #9, which consists of two chapters; in 'Echo' Oliver wraps up a business meeting with Walter, only to be assaulted by Green outside of Queen Consolidated, a fight which is finished off in 'Vengeance' when Roy jumps in to save Oliver from the crazed attacker. 'Echo' begins by reiterating Green's vendetta against the Queens, although it felt unnecessary as we have seen it many times before already in this series. It was fun seeing Oliver adapt and take on Green with a hockey mask and bat. The only issue I had was with Green's over-the-top bad guy speech, which just was slightly too ridiculous for me. Ollie and Roy joke about this in 'Vengeance', which I appreciated as a piece of meta-humour on the industry. This chapter resulted in Roy rescuing the Arrow and Felicity ordering the police to let the vigilantes go, which was a nice nod to when Captain Lance orde...

What Justice Requires. Arrow Season 2.5  produced its finest issue yet as the 'Blood' story arc reached its conclusion. The finale featured two chapters; 'Choice' detailed the epic showdown between the Arrow, Arsenal, the Huntress and the Renegades, whilst 'Flames' saw Brother Blood make his last stand. In 'Choice', our heroes take on the ragtag band of villains in an awesome fight. Lock-Up was particularly devastating, taking out Roy and Oliver in a display of his electrical powers. His ultimatum at the end, along with Oliver's choice, was a good cliffhanger too. A decision that was blindingly obvious after reading the following issue. Said issue, 'Flames', was the eventful finale. The Huntress was able to finally have a good story arc, recognising her wrongdoings and accepting that she deserved to sit out her sentence. Also she was surprisingly mature with Felicity, which again made me like her character more (way more than her TV app...

You're Gonna Need Backup. After the focus on the Suicide Squad last week, we return to Oliver's war against the Church of Blood. Once again there are two stories; in 'Assault' the Arrow and Arsenal go on the hunt for Felicity, whilst in 'Assurances' Roy turns to Lyla for backup when the Arrow takes on Brother Blood and the Renegades single-handed. We also get an epilogue to the 'Crisis in Khandaq' story-line. In 'Assault', we get out first proper team-up mission for the Arrow and Arsenal, as they track Felicity. Brother Blood tries to blow the pair up, before taking Oliver hostage. It's straight-forward plotting and merely serves to bring us back to Starling and its problems following the detour to Khandaq. The next chapter is much more eventful, as in 'Assurances' we learn that it was Oliver's plan to get captured and he wanted Roy to get backup, which he does in the dramatic ACTUAL return of the Huntress! A few issues ago,...

For The Old Gods. Arrow Season 2.5  put the Suicide Squad in the spotlight in this issue, appropriately titled the 'Crisis in Khandaq Special'. I have been looking forward to some development in this arc and finally we got it - thankfully it doesn't disappoint. Feeling like a modern military movie, the Suicide Squad infiltrate Khandaq and hunt down the extremist leader Khem-Adam, kicking some serious ass along the way. I love the relationship between the members of the squad, particularly the banter between Floyd Lawton and Diggle. Eventually the group reach the caves where Khem-Adam is based, leading to a climactic showdown. It was an epic fight, leading to the dramatic death of Ben Turner a.k.a. Bronze Tiger! I really didn't think any major characters would die in this series so I was shocked how swiftly and easily the villain was dispatched! Rest in peace you over-the-top, leather wearing Wolverine knock-off. The big reveal in this one was that Nyssa Al-Ghul, S...

Miscellaneous Expenses. The Arrow: Season 2.5  comic series picked up the pace in #5 with it's continuation of the 'Blood' storyline; 'Transitions' sees Caleb Green escape from the Church of Blood in order to kill Oliver Queen, whilst in 'Gone' Oliver finally realises that Felicity has been taken and enlists the recently awoken Roy to help him rescue her. The 'Crisis in Khandaq' feels close to boiling over, as Diggle replaces pregnant Lyla on the mission and joins the crew at the helicopter. 'Transitions' is a particularly eventful chapter. In it, we see Oliver dreaming of Thea killing him, whilst at the same time Malcolm trains Thea in his house in Corto Maltese, further evidence that she is going to transform into Speedy in the coming seasons. Additionally, Sara enlists Quentin's help to track a target for the League of Assassins and Roy wakes from his coma. All-in-all, it was a great chapter which began a number of story-lines and...

The Fun Is About To Begin. Arrow's Season 2.5  comic series continues with two more chapters in the 'Blood' arc; 'Haunted' sees Oliver face off against figures from his past as he trips on vertigo, whilst in 'Awakenings' Sara returns to rescue Oliver and Team Arrow vow to fight back. In 'Crisis in Khandaq', Ravan Nassar is recruited to the Squad whilst Deadshot and Bronze Tiger train at ARGUS. 'Haunted' is an emotional chapter, where Oliver is forced to contend with his demons after Werner Zytle injects him with vertigo. I liked how Zytle popped up here as I know he is going to reappear as the first antagonist of season 3. Also, it was nice seeing the return of familiar faces including Robert, Moira, Tommy and Slade. We learn about Oliver's self doubts, as his ghosts speak his greatest fears and his failures. Whilst this emotion-driven chapter is interesting, it ultimately doesn't move the story forward in any meaningful way. In...

Long Live Brother Blood. Arrow's Season 2.5  #3 consists of two more additions to the 'Blood' story-line; in 'Following', the Arrow breaks into the Church of Blood and confronts their members and leader, whilst in 'Outnumbered', Diggle and Ollie try to escape from the clutches of Brother Blood and his minions. Meanwhile, 'Crisis in Khandaq' starts to get interesting as Khem-Adam ( Arrow 's version of Black Adam!) is introduced as the leader of terrorist group Onslaught. First off, 'Following'. This chapter leads to the Arrow investigating the Church of Blood before being overwhelmed by the creepy acolytes of Brother Blood. Diggle tries to help him meanwhile, but is knocked out by members of the Church. We also get a neat insight into Thea's journey, as Malcolm teaches her in Corto Maltese that all places are dark and twisted, the only thing you can change is yourself. It's a nice moment that foreshadows her eventual transform...

Blood is Risen. Arrow Season 2.5  brings revelations and mysteries in its two chapters: 'Acolyte' sees a member of the Church of Blood make a demonstration of his devotion to the new Brother Blood, whilst 'Ascension' explains just how Clinton Hogue became the new Brother Blood, answering a few lingering questions from season 2. In 'Acolyte', Oliver learns that the Church of Blood is back and led by another Brother Blood, who is revealed to be Sebastian Blood's old bodyguard Clinton Hogue! I'm glad the comic writers chose a character that was in the show, as it felt more dramatic revealing him to have been an ally of Blood's prior to his death. Additionally, we get to see where Team Arrow get all of their awesome gear - some shady nut job with a scarred face and a weird pair of goggles. Diggle gives this guy the plans for Roy's Arsenal costume, which is an awesome link back to the TV show! Following this, 'Ascension' explains that Ho...

A Refuge For The Lost. Arrow Season 2.5  kicks off in spectacular fashion with its first issue, which begins the 'Blood' story-line. This issue consists of two chapters; 'Return' sees Oliver take Roy out into the field as the pair take down drug dealers on a plane, whilst in 'Descent' Team Arrow try to patch up Roy, whilst a strange man lures Caleb Green to a church led by a man by a familiar name. I loved seeing Roy and the Arrow fighting alongside each other again in 'Return', with the pair kicking some serious ass together. The plot was thin on this one, but intentionally so - the seeds are being sown for what this mini-series is all about. We got to see Ollie adapting to taking Roy with him on missions and meanwhile, in the background, a new character called Caleb Green watches his dad kill both his wife and himself. It's all riveting stuff and I love how immediately this story carries on after the fall of Deathstroke at the end of season 2 ...

Too Late. The final issue of the Arrow  comic book series certainly doesn't disappoint, as it wraps up the first season of the TV show in spectacular fashion. 'You Owe Me' is an enjoyable side-story involving the Hood helping a man save his wife from a kingpin in Bludhaven; and 'Sacrifice' parts one and two show the immediate aftermath of the Undertaking and the decisions Oliver made which would set up the beginning of season two. 'You Owe Me' is the story of a man who has asked for one too many favours, which catch up to him when his wife is kidnapped by a kingpin in Bludhaven. The Hood helps save them both before returning to Starling. A plot seen many times before, but helped by the protagonist who is likeable and garners sympathy from the reader. 'Sacrifice' is naturally the highlight of this issue however, as it shows Oliver trying to save Laurel, the decision to save a stranger which prevented him from saving Tommy and his brutal murders ...

I'm Finally Ready Now. The penultimate issue of the Arrow  comic series is one of the best yet and delivers in a multitude of ways, despite none of the three main stories focusing on the Hood himself. 'No Way Out' is a darker tale about a handyman for a mob boss who gains a conscience following an encounter with the vigilante; 'From the Darkness' reflects upon Malcolm Merlyn's past and how he became the Dark Archer; whilst 'Potential' examines Roy's past and forces him to consider if he is ready to become a responsible adult. 'No Way Out' focuses on Tony, a handyman for a mob boss on the Hood's list. In a relatively straightforward story, Tony grapples with guilt over his work and needing money to support his family. He questions himself at every turn and ultimately chooses to let the Hood kill his boss so he can get out of the industry and pursue more legal work. It's a nice alternative take on the Hood's crusade and focusin...

Pleasant Dreams. Issue 10 out of 12 in the Arrow  comic series continues to tie up loose ends from the TV show and present new and exciting stories for our hero; 'Aftermath' explores Diggle's attempts to avenge his brother's death during Oliver's five years in hell; 'Shado of the Past' helps explain how Shado came to Lian Yu and also shows the flashback story from the point of view of Yao Fei; and 'Patient Zero' is a disease-driven present day adventure, in which the Hood travels to Coast City to prevent biological disaster. 'Aftermath' is the worst of the three stories, but it is still very good - an emotional ride in which we are shown how Carly and Diggle reacted to the death of Andy. Seeing Diggle's fury as her pursues the wrong man is effective in portraying his pain during this time and how he found outlets for his rage. The plot itself is straightforward and predictable, but the emotional implications of the story carry the re...

To Do What You Can't. Issue nine of the Arrow  comic series takes a step back from Oliver's crusade and instead shows us stories from different perspectives; 'The Pieces Missing' depicts Diggle trying to unearth what happened to Oliver on Lian Yu by meeting with Lyla; 'Lapse' fills in the backstory of how Laurel and Tommy's relationship began during Oliver's absence; and 'Lone Hunter' introduces an SCPD officer who chooses to go undercover in order to catch the vigilante. 'The Pieces Missing' is the most underwhelming story of the three, comprised mostly of flashbacks to important moments in Dig and Oliver's friendship so far. It is nice to see Lyla appear in the comics for the first time, but she reveals nothing that we didn't already know, leaving this story feeling a bit empty. 'Lapse' takes the filling-in-the-gaps approach that many past issues have done, this time focusing on Laurel and Tommy beginning their sex...

We All Have To Die Sometime. Issue #8 of Arrow  follows a similar pattern that I have noticed in recent issues - they all seem to include one great backstory, then two pretty empty stories revolving around the Hood's campaign. This issue contains the stories 'Back from the Deadshot', 'Hunters' and 'Diamond in the Rough'; 'Back from the Deadshot' fills in the blanks between Deadshot's appearances in season one whilst also showing how he escaped after his first showdown with the Hood; 'Hunters' takes a different approach and shows how Oliver would fare whilst being hunted by a wild beast; and 'Diamond in the Rough' puts Felicity front and centre as she becomes caught up with one of Oliver's targets. 'Back from the Deadshot' is by far the highlight of this issue, with the always brilliant Floyd Lawton shining in his solo adventure. We learn how he was abducted by a strange group after being shot in the eye. Unfortuna...

Welcome to Lian Yu. The seventh issue of Arrow 's comic series is an excellent entry in the series made up of 'Wintergreen', 'Make it Rain' and 'Detour'; 'Wintergreen' fleshes out Slade and Billy's backstory and how Wintergreen turned on his lifelong friend; 'Make it Rain' explores how Oliver would react to a Robin Hood copycat; and 'Detour' is a fun jaunt around Starling City which sees Oliver and Dig get carjacked at gunpoint. 'Wintergreen' is by far the best story in this issue, benefiting from the great characters of Slade Wilson and Billy Wintergreen. This is the only time we get to see Billy's face and admittedly I was disappointed how similar he looked to Slade, so much so that I struggled to tell who was who throughout the comic. However, the backstory is emotional and brutal, and helps fill in the blanks that the TV show didn't fully cover. A great story with a heart wrenching ending, this story was o...

Can't Win 'Em All. Issue six of the Arrow comic series is made up of 'Sins of the Father', 'Two Minute Warning' and 'Keep 'Em Coming'; 'Sins of the Father' sees Oliver learn the hard way that trust can be misplaced as he dismantles a criminal operation; 'Two Minute Warning' sees the Hood race against time to save a football stadium from destruction; and 'Keep 'Em Coming' further fleshes out the relationship between Laurel and Quentin and we witness the beginnings of the latter's alcoholism. 'Sins of the Father' is the weakest link in this issue. In this story, Oliver turns soft on a criminal after he feeds him a tragic backstory, which turns out to be false and he betrays the Hood. The plot is thin and very short, and the betrayal seemed obvious to me as a reader. It was still good to see Oliver spare the boy's life - further evidence that he is changing as a character across the season. The second st...